Factors associated with the subject's ability to quantify their lumbar flexion demands at work

Continuous measurements of lumbar posture provide the basis for determining the factors influencing the difference between subjective and objective assessments of lumbar posture. The lumbar flexion posture during an entire work day was registered in a group of 13 sewage workers and 14 physical therapists. Subjective lumbar posture data, perceived occupational stress, job satisfaction and 12 month prevalence of low back pain were obtained using standardized questionnaires. For the entire sample, a significant positive correlation was found between the degree of overestimation of the lumbar bending demands at work and the level of occupational stress (p > 0.01) as well as the low back pain prevalence in the past 12 months. Continuous measurement of spinal posture is an important tool not only for comparisons of posture demands during various activities but also for investigations into the complex interactions between the biomechanical and psychosocial determinants of low back pain.